With just eleven days remaining for its grand opening, the iconic International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) is buzzing with activity as final preparations kick into high gear at the Salt Lake Central Park fairground. The 49th edition of this literary extravaganza, a flagship event organized by the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, promises to be bigger and more accessible than ever before.
Key Dates and Infrastructure Upgrades
The fair is scheduled to be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on January 22, and will run for nearly two weeks, concluding on February 3. As the countdown begins, the fairground is undergoing a significant transformation. Workers are busy repairing internal roads and installing high-mast lights at two main gates to ensure better illumination for evening visitors. Additionally, all toilet blocks are being refurbished to enhance visitor comfort, with the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) overseeing these crucial infrastructure improvements.
Metro Connectivity: A Game-Changer for Crowd Management
One of the most significant developments for this year's fair is the enhanced metro connectivity. For the first time, the extended Green Line metro route connects Sector V to Howrah, passing through the crucial Central Park station. Anticipating a massive surge in visitors, the Guild has made a special request to the metro authorities. They have asked for a temporary ticket booth to be set up at Gate No. 1 of the fairground, which is closest to the Central Park metro station.
"Metro will play a huge role as we are expecting more visitors to throng the book fair this time," explained a guild official. "This dedicated booth would allow visitors to purchase metro tickets directly at the gate and board the Green Line from Central Park, helping them avoid long queues at the station's internal counters." This move is expected to streamline entry and exit for thousands of daily visitors.
Record Footfall and Sales Anticipated
Buoyed by the improved infrastructure and connectivity, organizers are confident of breaking previous records. The fair will feature approximately 1,000 book stalls showcasing a vast array of titles. The timing is also favorable, with more public holidays falling within the fair's duration this year.
Guild officials revealed that the last edition attracted around 27 lakh (2.7 million) book lovers, with total book sales reaching an impressive Rs 23 crore. Given the new metro link and heightened anticipation, the 2024 International Kolkata Book Fair is poised to draw even larger crowds and achieve higher footfall, solidifying its status as a premier cultural event in Eastern India.
